Trailblazers: Leading the Way on Safe School Routes

A Network of Walking Ambassadors

The Trailblazers program teaches older students to be confident and competent walkers and lends visibility to student pedestrians. Trailblazers wear class II safety vests and follow preferred routes to school. They can also help with safety assemblies, support active transportation events, and make regular announcements encouraging walking and rolling to school.

A proven model

Experience shows that the visual cue of having dozens of vested students walking in the community and converging upon the school during commute time serves as a bright alert to drivers that there are vulnerable users on the sidewalks. The numbers of vested students also demonstrates additional trained “eyes on the street,” contributing to the feeling of safety experienced by students and parents alike. We recommend 20-30 students enter the program per school to ensure great coverage.

Training

• Trailblazers must:
  • Attend yearly Trailblazer training – delivered in-school once per year
  • Submit caregiver permission form
• In January/February, your school coordinator will have you:
  • (Required) Take the Skills Assessment
  • (Optional) Watch the Training Video

Maps

If your school does not have a map here, you don’t yet have a coordinator at the school. Please call us or your school to see if you can get one!

School resources

Trailblazer Program Overview
Trailblazer School Coordinator Role and Responsibilities